I dropped from 22mg ( after being on that dose for 6 weeks) to 20mg.....my worst withdrawal symptom is racing mind that NOW won't let me get to sleep at night. (my mind races all the time)

At night I take 1mg Klonipin, 5mg Ambien, 500mg Depakote...Dr. today said to take 1mg Ativan 3 hours before 1 mg Klonopin to see if it helps my mind to stop racing and get to sleep.

It is going to take me 2 years !!!!! to wean off this poison drug...2 more years wasted of MY LIFE...I am beyond upset....and a prisoner in my house..

Yeah, I drink beer regularly...3 Miller Lites...No, I do not wory about being an alchoholic....if I ever get straighented out...and feel good...I won't be sitting at home drinking in the evenings......I never did when I was on Zoloft...    (Fri Feb 3 17:16 2012)

Mike - get your wife to stop taking cymbalta---and she can't just stop---severe withdrawal risk...get her off cymbalta....she will pay the price of "severe withdrawl risk....find a "compounding pharmacist" in yellow pages under Pharmacist and ask... you have to wean off slowly....I know...I was on it for 1 year and it never workd on my depression....now it will take 2 years to get off the 30mg I was on. ( I could not handle 40mg)...addtionally I have low sodium as a side effect of cymbalta..

get her off now before she is in too deep of time on cymbalta...there is HELL to pay trying to wean off cymbalta...

   (Fri Feb 3 17:06 2012)

rotlaw.com/cymbalta

This is another law group looking into cymbalta withdrawal.

PLEASE fill out the form..everyone!!!   (Fri Jan 13 14:54 2012)

Other symptoms:

My mind races all the times, except when asleep..It races to the past and every bad thinng that went wrong in my life...it races to other "scary" places...the only time it doesn't is if I am calm and find a movie to watch that captivates my attention.

Cymbalta gives me INSOMNIA....I been taking 5mg AMbien for that...NOW I wake up every night with my mind racing and it is hard to get back to sleep..

Of course there are the crazy vivid dreams at the end of my sleep..    (Thu Jan 12 16:17 2012)

(1) compounding pharmacist was suppose to give me 14 days of 22mg cymbalta...Shrink thought that staying on 22mg for 28 days would help ease my discomfort...But I got a bottle of 28 more of 22mg...I have already been on 22mg for 14 days...Now I am stuck taking the 22mg for 42days, instead of 28 days...

(2)When I wake up about 11am, sometimes 10am and take the 22mg, I am not in distress...then about 1 hour later I can feel my body going into distress..
Like the Cymbalta (poison) is NOW causing the distress in my body...feels like small pins and needle are in my arms...AND my nerves are shattering...

(3) Can't just stop...make this worse...I bet the Shrink has no idea WHY it causes distress about 1 hour or so after I take it....NO ONE knows what is going on with this drug AND the severe withdrawal risk....which the public was NEVER made aware of by the manufacturer Eli Lilly.

(4) Some days on 22mg I am ok...no serious distress....

I can't take all this suffering....my heart goes out to others trying to get off this poison drug...    (Thu Jan 12 15:41 2012)

Chis, I filled out the form for cymbalta on rotlaw.com..It will be forever before something is done...but if we dont't report to these lawyers nothing will get done.
   (Fri Jan 6 14:28 2012)

Thanks for your comment Chris.

I found the site...but in a panic today...I have low sodium problems from cymbalta...under a specialist care for that..

Slowing weaning process to going down 1mg cymbalta ever 4 weeks...instead of every 2 weeks..per psychiatrist...

now it will take 2 years to get off this nightmare drug.   (Wed Jan 4 16:40 2012)

It really upsets me the FDA allowed this to be released to the public without a plan to wean people off and to advise people what would be involved in that process. It is out and out wrong!
I did find this site that may help to put an end to it.
http://www.rotlaw.com/cymbalta/   (Wed Jan 4 9:43 2012)

P.S. ---my nerves are very bad..so there is some level of anxiety...my body feels like it is shattering....

Can't do anything...I have to take salt tablets (1gram tablets 2x a day)..cymbalta give me side effect of low sodium..now have to get blood work every month..

can't function...I am home bound..    (Fri Dec 30 14:48 2011)

I am on Day 2 of 22mg cymbalta....I have been feeling awful...suffering most days..can't identify symptoms...just awaful and suffering..

In bed by afternoon with TV on...getting hard to find anthing that holds my interest.....even renting movies on Comcast..

no anxiety...just very much in discomfort..

this is a nightamre...and I have 12 more months of this..    (Fri Dec 30 14:35 2011)

Recap: I am weaning off 30mg cymbalta, by going down 1mg every 14 days,

Today is day 10 on 24mg. I am starting to feel STRESSY by 8pm...It is scarying me..There is no easy way to wean off this nightmare drug....

It is going to take me till Dec 2012 to get off this drug...I have to get off it....it never help with depression..only anxiety...which was severe before I took this drug...

This all happened because my shrink would not listen to me...I was on Zoloft and it was working good enough...It is the only anti-depressant I "could" take...Shrink ran over me like a freight train verbally and bullied me into Prozac...

Cn't say anymore...getting to upset.    (Sat Dec 10 13:37 2011)

OMG, I am only on day 4 of 26mg cymbalta and my stomach is doing flip-flops in morning....this is a bad sign...took .50mg Ativan..hope it calms me down.

P.S. I am weaing off of 30mg cymbalta....1mg every 2 weeks...

I am scared to death..   (Sun Nov 6 10:52 2011)

Important information:

If you head feels spacey, or light-headed while on cymbalta....go to your primary care doctor and get your Sodium Blood Levels checked.

a side - effect of Cymbalta is LOW SODIUM.

I will be going back into the hopital again for my low-sodium ....caused by Cymbalta..

not happy - was in hospital 2x last week of July this year.   (Tue Oct 25 14:50 2011)

correction...I will not be off the cymbalta till December 2012..

assuming I do not run into any problems..

almost 1 year to get off this poison.

I hate my Shrink so much..that Dr. ruined my life...not listentening to me when I refused to take the Prozac....Shrink bullied me into Prozac...my mind was gone..I was left speechless after she agressivly pushed me into Prozac...I could not think straight.

I hate that Shrink for all the suffering Dr. has caused me..

I was on Zoloft..had no problems..it could have worked better, but I felt good every day...blood work was always fine..stable, funtional..

was not 100 percent on Zoloft..BUt did not want to change..it's the only anti-depressant I can take..    (Sun Oct 23 15:04 2011)

I am presently on Day 4 of 27mg...at the rate I am reducing, 1mg every 2 weeks, I won't be off this nightmare cymbalta till December 1, 2011....

that is if the anxiety does not return with a rengence..so scared..

just had my blood work done...scared my sodium levels are down again as I don't feel right...do not want to be in hospital again..

low sodium is a side-effect of cymbalta..and I have it...more worries!!

at 27mg, down from 30mg...feel kinda strange at different times of day...mostly in morning.

can't get out of bed...earliest I can get up is 10:30am..due to depression..

very out of it in when wake up..

what a nighmare drug...as I said...it will take me till December 1, 2011 to be off this poison..IF all goes well...

and the depression will be getting worse during that time...as it already is so hard to cope with..
   (Sun Oct 23 13:50 2011)

I am presently weaning off Cymbalta. I was on 30 mg since 1/25/2010....I am using a "compounding pharamacist". I am going down 1mg every 2 weeks...I am terrified that my anxiety will return..

One of the side-effcts got from Cymbalta was "low-sodium" probems...not good. Have to keep getting blood work done...Sodium levels should be at at least 134...mine was at 132 one month ago.. Was hospitalized 2x in same week of July 2010 due to low sodium caused by Cymbalta..

Presently down from 30mg cymbalta to 28mg..in 2 days I go to 27mg for 2 weeks, 26mg for 2 weeks...no problems at this time..

   (Mon Oct 17 17:56 2011)

Correction EVERYONE

the correct link to the investigation form of cymbalta withdrawal risk is the following:

cymbaltasideeffects.com/contact-lawyers

scroll to bottom of that page and you will see the form.    (Wed Sep 14 15:02 2011)

A LAW FIRM IS WORKING ON A POTENTIAL CLASS ACTION SUIT RE: CYMBALTA

Deskin Law Firm is investing whether individuals believe Cymbalta manufacturer (Eli Lilly) misled them abut cymbalta withdrawal risk.

As a former paralegal(and I have 2x tried to get off cymbalta unsuccessfully), I know that the investigation process is the first step to determine if a class action suit can be filed..

THEREFORE, EVERYONE MUST JOIN TOGETHER AND FILL OUT THE FORM BELOW. (it is ease, takes 5 minutes)

To locate the FORM, go to your Internet search bar and type in the following:

www.cymbaltasideeffects.com/contact/lawyers


IF EVERYONE DOES NOT FILL OUT THE FORM, NOTHING CAN GET DONE.

thank you.   (Tue Sep 13 12:31 2011)

Finally, A LAW FIRM IS INVESTIGATING CYMBALTA . and gatheing information.

Ken Savage, operator of CymbaltaWithdrawal.com has been in contact with attorneys who are investigating individuals who believe Cymbalta (Eli Lilly) misled them about withdrawal risks.

all questions on form are regarding Cymbalta..SO fill it out and submit.

FInd it by searching, www.cymbaltasideeffcts.com/contact-lawyers.

   (Sat Sep 10 0:07 2011)

Bummer, "melissleep"

I contacted Parker Waichmand & Alonso today.

at 1-800-529-4639   (Fri Sep 9 18:31 2011)

Contact law firm of Parker Waichman Alonso at 1-800-529-5636...........regarding filing class action suit against Eli Lilly, re Cymbalta withdrawl symptoms..

A person will answer the phone and take down your contact number, address and ask a few questions.

Tell them you are or have been been having serious withdrawal symtoms from cymbalta.

The more calls the better..My call took about 5 minutes.

PLEASE, ALL OF YOU CONTACT THE ABOVE LAW FIRM ASAP!!!!!!   (Fri Sep 9 15:37 2011)

TO get the ball rolling on a potential class against against Eli Lilly, re: cymbalta: call Best Legal Source at
1-800-611-7080. I just did.

THey take name and contact information. THey have nationwide resourses to cymbalta attorneys nationwide..JUST one call and give your name and contact number..that is it. Sure hope somthing comes about..

We have been injured, sufferng the cymbalta withdrawal..Eli Lilly did not make it known to Public about these withdrawal symptoms.    (Wed Sep 7 14:36 2011)

Please sign the "cymbalta withdrawal petition"...type this into computer and it will come up.

there are are two (2) of them..you can put your real name in, or use "anonomous" or ex: Robin Hood....your e-mail address must go in, but you can click on box to keep it private. add comments or not..


Please sign both of them...We have to fight and get attention..!!!!

thank you.   (Tue Sep 6 22:19 2011)

ERIN BROCKOVICH is investigating Cymbalta.

The only way to submit your story/complaints of the hellish withdrawal is the e-mail her at:

erin@brockovich.com

THis is the fan site...her pharmaceutical watch list site is not working right so you cannot submit..

THe more people who write, the more attention we will get.

For those who have written their stories on Members' Notes, you should be able to copy and paste onto your e-mail..Just make sure you break it down into paragraph with spaces between paragraphs so it is readable.

thank you   (Thu Sep 1 15:23 2011)

OK, how to know if anyone has replied to your Member Note- It looks like your "screen name" is highlighted in RED. Click on your "screen Name" and read the reply message to your Member Note.   (Fri Aug 19 13:44 2011)

Second, I figured out how to reply to Members' Notes - by clickiing on Members' Notes "screen name" and you can post a reply message. Not sure how the Member can get to that message reply to their Member Note.    (Fri Aug 19 13:40 2011)

For all of you who have posted a message on Members' Notes and want a reply, I finally figured it out..Go to top of Members' Notes page and hit Home, then click on Forum. Look for your reply or post a new message to get a reply.   (Fri Aug 19 13:23 2011)

To #5248 by kalib from Cindy1402.

Get off Cymbalta immediatly. Do not take anymore. I suggest Celaxa, Zoloft, then prozac. Remember, it takes 4-6 weeks for them to see any results. Always tell you Dr to start you on the lowest dose.
Prozac takes the longest.

Get off the cymbalta. the withdrawl is going to be hell. I am scared to death of it and I know I have to get off it. It is not helping me and I could not get to 40mg, adverse affects.

THese post are so old. No one is responding to me. Be lucky you ony took 1 pill.

I do not know how to use the message board so I just post under Memberes' Notes, as I am now.

Best of luck to you.

   (Mon Aug 15 13:35 2011)

PLEASE someone respond to me.

I do not know how to use this symtem except to add notes.

I do not know where messages are.

Kindly respond to me in "Members' Notes", where I am posting now!!!!!   (Mon Aug 15 11:14 2011)

Has anyone who was taking Cymbalta (poison) experienced their Anxiety returning with a renenge EVEN while tapering off slowely by removing beads?????? I fear that part the most.

I found a Compounding Pharmasict who can set this up for me - removing 10 beads for 5 days as a start.

I am on 30mg since 12/14/2010 and today is 8/13/2011. Have not started the taper yet.

Zoloft was working for me for over 3 years untill my stupid, terrible SHRINK decided it was't. Ambused me out of the blue in a very agressive manner when I REFUSED the Prozac.

Shrink interrupted me before I coud get out most important statment: " I can't take Prozac. took it before and got severe reaction." Had to be there and in my body to understand the ambush.

I could not think straight, nothng would come out of my mouth,nor could I just leave the room. It felt as if I had been hit by a stun gun.

Stupidly took the Prozac, result it turned on my ANXIETY again. Back on Zoloft, it gave me ANXIEY. Weaned off Zoloft and Anxiety hit the roof. 5-6mg Ativan/day and going out of my mind.

THAT is when I resorted to CYMBALTA, last resort. reduced anxiety greatly, still have it. Nothing for Depression.

Scared to death the severe anxiety will return even w/ supper slow taper.

Anyone experienced ANXIETY returing while on super slow taper off Cymbalta???

Kindly, request immediate response as to ANXIETY returning while slowly weaning off Cymbalta!!!!

Thank you in advance.   (Sun Aug 14 13:31 2011)

I want off this poison (cymbalta).

I found a compounding pharamist to remove beads super slowly. I am on 30mg. Started 12/24/2010. today is 8/12/2011.

Scared to death severe anxiety will return even with removing beads super slow.

Has anyone experienced severe anxiety and/or out of control stress returning even when doing the super slow taper of removing beads.

All information and experience with the anxiety and stress part of the slow taper by removing beads appreciated.

THank you. I am new to forum    (Fri Aug 12 16:25 2011)

Scared to death the severe anxiety will reeturn even if do a slow taper of reemoving beads.

Found a compounding pharacist who can do this.

Anyone experience severe anxiety or uncontroalbe stress returning even while tapering by bead removing at super slow pace

I am only on 30mg. Started Dec. 24 2010. It is now 8/12/2011   (Fri Aug 12 16:07 2011)

Scared to death the severe anxiety will reeturn even if do a slow taper of reemoving beads.

Found a compounding pharacist who can do this.

Anyone experience severe anxiety or uncontroalbe stress returning even while tapering by bead removing at super slow pace

I am only on 30mg. Started Dec. 24 2010. It is now 8/12/2011   (Fri Aug 12 16:05 2011)

I was prescribed Cymbalta 60mg for anxiety and depression on thursday and took my first
at 7am friday morning. By 8am I had a dry mouth, a headache, was dizzy, had trouble
concentrating, fuzzy vision and had tingling in my feet and legs. By 1pm I was walking into
things because my vision was so distorted, I felt so nauseas and kept throwing up.. except I
hadn't been able to eat all day so it was just bile. my whole body shook and my heart was
beating so fast. I went to bed thinking "if i can just go to sleep i'll be okay when I wake up"
but sleep was not an option, my eyes were moving so fast beneath my eyelids that they
hurt, the nausea didn't go away and I started getting hot and cold sweats alternatively.
When my brother came in to check on me, he told me that my pupils were huge, he even
asked me if i'd been given the right medication, because he thought I was on speed or
some other "recreational drug". That's scared me. I stayed in bed and managed to doze for
roughly half hour intervals from 4pm and at about 11pm I fell asleep. This morning I still
fell 'fuzzy', it's hard to concentrate and it's taken me a ridiculously long time to write this
because I keep hitting the wrong keys and forgetting words. I have not taken my next dose
of Cymbalta. I didn't want to take it while I was lying in bed last night, I didn't want to take
it when 7am kicked around this morning and after reading what you all had to say, I sure as
hell don't want to take it now.

Thank you all for posting your experiences with this drug, it's very helpful to know what
other people go through with medications. I only wish I had of found this website on
thursday afternoon, before I took my first dose.    (Fri Aug 5 18:57 2011)

I take my meds at night. If i forget to take it, i feel it
right away. My dreams are very vivid and messed up.
When i get up to use the restroom during the night, i
cannot focus. I stumble and crash into things. I cant
seem to hold my head up. When i finally make it back
to bed, im asleep again the second my head touches
the pillow. A hard sleep. In the morning, i cannot wake
up still i spend the next several hours feeling the same
way i feel when i wake from anesthesia. Only im sitting
up or walking around attempting to make coffee and get
the kids ready for school. My head spins. All i want to
do is sleep. Focusing is impossible. The next 12 hours
are bad because, even though i take my pill first thing
after i realize i missed it, im still being punished for
missing it. Dizziness and nausea follow me all day
long. Cotton mouth too. Its so hard waiting for the pill to
kick in and this "anesthesia" feeling to go away.
Missing just one dose is hell. I now have an alarm on
my cell phone to go off every night to remind me to
take it. Im perfectly fine as long as i dont forget to take
them.    (Thu Aug 4 21:27 2011)

I experience anxiety from lots of stress in my life, and I've
been diagnosed with fibromyalgia. I don't like putting
chemicals into my body, however, my doctor told me that
Cymbalta would completely change my life...he told me it
really helped with fibro/nerve pain along with anxiety. I
was to the point where I desperately wanted relief. When
he said it would change my life, man was he ever
right...only it changed for the worse!! Started at 30mg/day
and for the first 3 days felt like I was in outerspace. I
couldn't care less what anybody said, had no desire to
carry on a conversation, and had a dull headache
constantly. I told my daughter I felt like I wasn't really
"here" and just didn't feel right in my head. She said,
don't worry, your brain is just trying to adjust and it will
probably get better. Then I started having extreme
difficulty getting to sleep and staying asleep. After 3
nights of NO sleep, my anxiety returned and I was more
panicky than ever. Suddenly an excruciating pain stabbed
me in my left chest and up my neck into my jaw and ear.
It was miserable and wouldn't go away. I went back to the
Dr and he said it was unrelated and not anything to do
with my heart, just probably my fibro. He wanted me to
increase the dose to 60mg/day. I felt in my gut that I
shouldn't do it. Needless to say, I decided not to take any
more Cymbalta and he recommended Savella. But Savella
is basically the same thing, so why would I take it? I'm off
the Cymbalta after only 3 weeks and my symptoms have
increased! My muscles are twitching and jerking, my
vision is blurry and my head is still out of whack. I have
stabs of pain in my head, and have been dealing with
constant, horrible headaches for a week and a half. I
know it's from the Cymbalta. Most medications are
metabolized and leave your body, but this stuff must
adhere and stay. I'm so angry that I even took it for 3
weeks and I pray it eventually dissipates. I'm worried tho
after reading posts from people who have been off it for
over 6 months and still having the symptoms. PLEASE let
me know if they do a lawsuit...I'll be right there!   (Fri Jul 22 11:37 2011)

This is a great forum for people on that nasty poison cymbalta
but there is no mention of what there families go through so here's
my story.As I now know my wife was first on cymbalta in august of
last year & was only a few weeks on that she started behaving moody
,crying,headaches,dierear,nightmares & not sleeping & because of the cold sweats
I thought maybe menopause but the doctor said no to menopause & increased
the cymbalta from 60 to 90 so now she not only had the above symptons but
now she was also suicidle & harder to get along with.
We have a weekend retreat in the bush where we planned to retire the following year
so I was there while my wife had to work leading upto newyears 2010 & she was
supposed to come up when she had finished work that week & seeing how moody
she had been I rang her to make sure she was still coming as aranged to spend newyears
together but she said no & gave no reason so I told her I was coming straight home
to see what her problem was,so I jumped on my motorcycle to head back but I only got
15 minutes down the road when a drunk driver hit me & the end result was
I lost my right leg & a few other bits & peices & died on the way to hospital
then spent the next 2 months in hospital but it didn't end there as my wife was
there with my son & daughter when they brought me back after the first of 9 opperations
& I didn't look the best,my wife couldn't cope with seeing me like that & left home
for 3 months going from friends to friends not being able to see me or cope with this
at all & my 18 year old son had left home before I got out of hospital as he couldn't
cope with it either & have only seen him twice since but he had to leave quickly each
time as he can't come to terms with seeing me the way I look now.
My wife is back home & into her fourth week of going cold turkey & has twice tried to suicide,the
above symtons are still there but she now also has the ticking,phones ringing,zaps
& the brain swooshing going on in her head,it's so hard seeing what she is going through
after being such a strong person being turned into a very messed up woman by this poison
that should not be on the market & the doctors that put people on this crap not knowing
what it does to people should also be held accountable not just the drug company.
Cymbalta has not only destroyed my wife but also our family.    (Mon Jun 27 3:18 2011)

I am also very interested in any class action
lawsuit against cymbalta. I almost died from
taking it. I was put on it for pain after I
had a concussion. I was on it for two years
and suffered what most people suffer with withdraws. I had the brain zaps, memory loss,
cognitive function impairment. The worst
thing was I lost my ability to walk! I also
gained 100 pounds. When I finally found out
that it was the cymbalta was causing my
problems, I cut it in half for a week and
then quit. I went through a couple of days
of anxiety, thank God we have a swim spa. We
bought it when I couldn't walk to rehab me.
Three weeks after I quit, my intestines shut
down and they ruptured slightly. I ended up
in the hospital again because I got a really
bad intestinal infection. I have been off of
it over a year and my walking still isn't
what it should be and my brain isn't
functioning like it should. I get so furious
when I see all of their ads on TV. I lost
two years of my life and I am still not as
strong nor walking like I should. I could be
the poster child for the results of taking
this horrible drug. I was hospitalized
twice, one time a neurosurgeon wanted to fuse
my neck because he thought my neuro canal was
a little small. I refused. My GP quit me
because I would not have the surgery. I
finally went to a great osteopath who did not
give up on me. I had polio when I was 11
weeks old and a couple of doctors thought my
inability to walk was due to post polio. I
finally found Los Amigos Post Polio Clinic in
Downey CA and went down there. Dr. Perry who
is 94 years old and semi-retired thankfully
agreed to come in and see me because she knew
my ortho from when I was a kid. She took one
look at me and said it was endocrinologal. I
went to an endo and she told me to get off
the cymbalta. I was so dizzy and my balance
was gone. I still don't have the balance I
should but I am getting better. I don't have
the all over muscle strength that I did
before this terrible drug was put into my
system to poison me. I am also still not
right but my brain function is returning, I
couldn't remember numbers or much of
anything. It about destroyed my marriage,
hurt our business badly and put me through
and unbelievable hell.    (Wed May 11 2:16 2011)

Hello, I am reaching out as I desperately need help. I took cymbalta XR 60 mg for anxiety for nearly 4 years. I weened myself off for over a month and completely stopped taking it in September. I survived the sweats, anger, brain zaps, etc. However, since October I have been a COMPLETELY different person. I am out of it constantly- like a zombie. I feel like I'm not real- like I'm just going through the motions of life. My memory has gotten terrible, blurred vision, pains, migraines, heart palpitations, etc. I need help! Some people say I'm still experiencing withdrawals, but could that be possible? It's been over 6 months! I have had an MRI, been to a ENT, etc... NOTHING has helped. I just want to be normal and feel alive and healthy and REAL! I am desperate... somebody please help me.    (Wed Apr 20 22:13 2011)

Cymbalta literally ruined my life. My
marriage ended, I attempted suicide, I gained
tons of weight and bloated up like a pregnant
woman, I had severe sweating, nightmare, hot
and cold chills, severly debilitating "brain
zaps", ringing in my ears, lethargy, my
grades in college plummeted and I had to drop
out...I was an excellent student prior to
Cymbalta, I almost went insane. I was
extremely aggressive and moody, had terrible
brain fogs....It took me over 4 months to
completely ween off and I was on 120 mg
dosage, the Dr kept increasing as my suicidal
thoughts worsened! I am filing a suit
against Eli Lilly and will be contacting the
FDA with all my medical records! It has been
over 6 months since I stopped taking Cymbalta
and am finally feeling some relief. I would
be dead if I would have continued on that
evil drug! I refuse to take anything at all
now. The 6th day is the important day when
all hell breaks loose when you stop taking
Cymbalta, so keep that in mind and taper like
crazy!   (Tue Apr 12 21:02 2011)

I have been on cymbalta for 2 years now and I have
been happy with the results. i have no intention of
getting off it even though i do have some undesirable
side effects such as lack of sex drive and occasional
blackouts when mixed with alcohol. What i can't figure
out is why when I drink the exact same amount of
alcohol why I blackout sometimes and not others. This
has me completely baffled. This weekend my wife
found me outside sleeping on the pavement after only
a few drinks. I woke up the next day and didn't
remember anything after she put me to bed. I'm only
40! Is thus normal? Afraid to mention to my doc for fear
he will withhold the meds!!! Does that make MD an
addict and has anyone else experienced that?   (Mon Oct 11 23:57 2010)

And I am definitely interested in law suit information.    (Mon Sep 27 10:24 2010)

Wow! I found this site just when I needed it, but really wish I would've known some of this info sooner. I have been on Cymbalta for 6 years and have moved from 30 mg in the beginning to 90 mg the last 3 years. It really did help me emotionally and with my anxiety and depression. However, I never realized a lot of the side effects until now. I did know that if I missed a day I really felt it in my head (dizziness), but that was about all as I was very good at remembering my daily medicines. I am now married and wanting to get pregnant and knew I had to stop cymbalta. My dr agreed and I have been weaning myself off. This weekend I finished and experienced a HORRIBLE weekend. I was in bed all weekend, had headaches, diarrhea, anger, anxiety, nasuea, loss of appetite, and extreme dizziness. I am glad to see that I am not alone, but saddened to see that it is happening to so many people. I also see now that maybe my weight gain the last few years wasn't just because of me. I became so sick yesterday that I broke down and took 60 mgs, which actually did make me feel better, but only for the short term. I have called in sick to work today and am trying to get into a dr today to get more answers. If I don't do something about this soon, my marriage is going to be in jeopardy. Thanks for sharing your stories.   (Mon Sep 27 10:11 2010)

jgirl and puppet24375, I needed to hear that others were swelling in the belly as I have, although I hate that its happening to you too.

Puppet24375, I'm going to check out the website thanks for the info on that. What have you been doing to get your liver enzymes down? Is there a treatment for you?

It was recommended that I take a diuretic, so I've been taking one from over the counter. My pharmacist recommended one from CVS brand. I've been taking 100mg a day for a couple weeks now and have noticed less swelling a little bit each day. And especially that the tight and uncomfortable feeling is lessened every day. I was told by a nurse to look up "ascites", which I did, and she also recommended the diuretic. After looking it up on wikipedia, I immediately went to the pharmacy for the diuretic. It truly frightened me to see what ascites is. I do believe that this is all caused by the cymablta. What a horrible drug!!!!

Best to both of you. Keep the posts coming, I need to hear how both of you are doing.    (Wed Sep 22 10:05 2010)

Sorry, this withdrawal is also affecting my mind! I meant to say that I am 42 days off of Cymbalta.    (Tue Sep 21 14:45 2010)

Just wanted to add my experience with Cymbalta to everyone else's. I weaned myself off the drug as it wasn't really helping me. I am days off the drug. It's been hell...brain zaps, depression, moodiness, nausea, headaches, extreme fatigue and achiness, stomach swelling and tenderness. I have looked 5 months pregnant and am just now starting to lose the belly. I've gained 10 lb. and have no energy. No one EVER told me about coming off this medication. It's ridiculous. I'm still getting brain zaps every few days and the moodiness continues. I definitely feel better than I did 2 weeks ago, but I still feel awful.    (Tue Sep 21 14:43 2010)

I have been on cymbalta for 14 months at 60 mg. I am now down to 30 mgs and continuing to taper using the Point of Return, a program for withdrawing from anti-depressants and benzodiazepines. www.pointofreturn.com They have excellent support and it is going smoothly for me. There have been some slight withdrawal symptoms but none like when I accidentally cold turkeyed myself for four days.
I would urge everyone to have a look at their site and give them a call to see if it might be a good fit for you.
All the best in battling this cymbalta monster.
Elaine
   (Fri Sep 17 21:10 2010)

I am a 36 year old male. I have been on 120mg Cymbalta for about 6 - 7 months now. I want to let everyone know that at first life was great on this drug then I noticed a huge weight gain just in my belly region also noticed different things like different songs playing in my head like the wheels on the bus and the Barney song lol. Then I took lab test and my liver enzymes were up. A few months later they were still up. Then about 2 weeks ago I had more labs done and my liver enzymes were through the roof. I have also lost the ability to ejaculate during sex no matter how long we "do it" that my friends cause sever depression in my case. I was searching for help with these effects with this drug and came across this wonderful site Thank you all for sharing with us cause it really makes a difference to know that one is not alone. I also noticed that people were asking about a class action lawsuit well I found on it is here ....lawyersandsettlements.com/case/cymbalta.html hope this helps   (Thu Sep 16 14:18 2010)

For me, Cymbalta is a miracle drug.This is the best I have felt in close to sixty years.

It is pricey. I don't drink so I figure I can afford the drug.

Over the years I have detoxed from many drugs that did not work. I am not too worried about detoxing from one that really helped.
   (Mon Sep 13 23:49 2010)

Hang in there, you have 48 days behond you! There is a light at the end of the tunnel. It takes awhile to get back to normal, I know it did me. You're doing great!   (Thu Sep 2 10:06 2010)